Former radio executive Matt Hanlon charged with drunken driving after Grand Rapids couple injured in crash

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Matt Hanlon, a former top radio executive for Citadel Broadcasting and until recently Townsquare Media, is accused of drunken driving after a crash that injured a Grand Rapids couple, police and court records show.

Hanlon, 48, waived his appearance at arraignment on the misdemeanor charge in Grand Rapids District Court. His lawyer, Henry Emrich, entered a not guilty plea on his behalf by mail. The plea was effective in court Thursday, records indicate.

Hanlon was arrested and jailed in Kent County on April 6, was released later that day, and has since been free on $100 bond.

Emrich on Friday night said of Hanlon: "He is thankful no one was seriously injured and also thankful for the professional handling of the matter by the Grand Rapids Police Department."

Hanlon, who arrived in West Michigan in early 2002, became well known for being on-air himself, convincing radio icon Kevin Matthews to return to his morning show at WLAV and signing Bill Simonson, host of “The Huge Show." He also has served as president of the Grand Rapids Ballet Company board.

Until last fall, he was Citadel's Grand Rapids-based president for 85 stations throughout the Midwest, including local stations WLAV-FM (Classic Rock) and WBBL-FM "The Ball." Shortly after Citadel was acquired by Cumulus, Hanlon was hired by Townsquare, becoming senior vice president for sales. The Connecticut-based company has 176 stations including WGRD-FM, best known for the "Free Beer and Hot Wings Morning Show," WFGR-FM "Classic Hits 98.7" and WTRV-FM "100.5 FM The River" in Grand Rapids.

Hanlon "abruptly resigned" from Townsquare earlier this month, Radio Ink magazine reported this month. Townsquare today confirmed that Hanlon no longer works for the company but would not comment further.

Police had responded to a 2:14 p.m. crash on Knapp Street NE near East Beltline Avenue.

Hanlon, driving a Land Rover, was in the left-turn lane, waiting to turn left into the D&W parking lot. Hanlon started a left turn when his vehicle collided with an oncoming vehicle.

The other driver, Srinivas Voruganti, 47, of Grand Rapids, told police that Hanlon pulled in front of his Saab and he was unable to avoid the vehicle, Officer Richard Prince wrote in a police report. Both Voruganti and his passenger, Saritha Voruganti, 44, were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries, reports said.

Hanlon, who told police he believed the other driver had been speeding, reported no injuries.